Individual 2 x 4 Bricks

The 700/1 set, released in 1949, represents one of the earliest iterations of what would eventually become the iconic Lego system. Originally marketed as Automatic Binding Bricks by the Lego company in Denmark, this early release emerged from founder Ole Kirk Christiansen’s transition from high-quality wooden toys to precision-molded plastic. These 2x4 bricks were directly inspired by the self-locking building blocks designed by British company Kiddicraft, aiming to provide a more durable and modular experience for children.

The design of these early bricks focused on a hollow underside with four protruding studs on the top, a configuration that allowed for basic stacking but lacked the advanced clutch power of the later tube-based system introduced in 1958. During this period, the bricks were sold in relatively simple sets that emphasized creative construction rather than specific models. While the initial reception was modest compared to the company’s wooden offerings, this set laid the technical and commercial foundation for the global brick-building phenomenon.